ANARCHISTS SAY THEY'RE TARGETED.

Byline: Jordan Smith  Staff Writer

Just days before the start of the Democratic National Convention, the North American Anarchist Conference held a press conference Tuesday to announce they have no organized plans to protest next week.

Instead, the 15 local anarchists have organized a conference to take place this weekend - at an undisclosed location - to discuss anarchist philosophy and the future of the movement.

However - true to anarchist philosophical form - members said they can't speak for 1,000 other anarchists expected in Los Angeles next week and whether they will organize protests.

``We can't be held responsible for what other anarchists say or do,'' said one member who asked only to be called Panda.

The conference, which attracted nearly 100 journalists to the sixth floor of Patriotic Hall, became contentious as the anarchists repeatedly tried to control in what order reporters could ask questions.

``We would like all the independent media to ask questions first, then we will call on the others. Make sure you state your name and the organization you work for before asking your question,'' said anarchist moderator Matt Hart.

Members refused individual interviews unless reporters supplied them first with business cards. Reporters were told they would be called at a later date, in the order their cards were received.

Anarchist group member Brendan Crill also contended they have been singled out by the Los Angeles police and Mayor Richard Riordan's Office as probable enticers of violence during the convention.

``We feel we have been targeted as scapegoats to crack down on protesters during the DNC,'' he said. ``Anarchists do not believe in violence or terrorism.''

He then clarified his remarks, saying that the four anarchists standing before the podium at the press conference do not believe in violence.

Riordan spokesman Manuel Valencia said that singling groups out has never been the mayor's intention.

``If they feel they've been singled out, that wasn't what was meant and if we have then we apologize,'' he said.

``Our concern has always been with those who are coming here looking for trouble. What we are saying is that those who are going to be trouble makers, harming people or property, those are the people who better watch out because the police will be very firm with them.''

Twenty-year-old anarchist spokeswoman Anne Kelly said the group expects nearly 1,000 anarchists in Los Angeles next week, including a minority faction of anarchists called the Black Block. That group was responsible for some of the property damage caused during the meeting of the World Trade Organization in Seattle last fall, she said.

``We're neither associating or disassociating with them, but we won't participate with them,'' Kelly said.

Police spokesman Lt. Horace Frank said it's because one person can't speak for a whole group that the police will be ready for anything.

``They themselves have talked about coming to Los Angeles and shutting the city down,'' he said. ``So which is it? Who are we to believe? I think it is better to err on the side of caution.''